Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-03-25

But though she did not say so, lily
had; and when later in her usual i'm
pulsye way, She told John Hollaway
how sorry she was that she had been So
rude to him, and then asked him frankly
whether he was not the kind friend who
had conc so opportunely to her mothers
relief his manner confirmed her suspi-
cionl.
1t is said that gratitude is ncighbor
to love, and whether that BE- tru! or
not, it is certain that from that time the
manly young farmer was often in Lily's
thoughts, while r chard Bake was lust
as steadily losing ground But John, Of
course, did not know it. He was not one
TO wear his heart upo' his sleeve and at
length, after hard ss.uggle, had deed
ed to abandon his hopeless suit and
leave the field to that rival who evident
" was the favored one. Lily appeared
to notice the difference; but, woman
like, she did not appear to care, and so
the months went much the same, until
at length the crisis came
The village in which our heroine lived
was just on the shores of a little bay,
and many were the pleasure parties that
enjoyed a trip over its limpid waters.
One afternoon, Richard Blake, obtain
ing Mrs Lawrence's consent, invited Lily
to take sail.
When they reached the beach, who
should be waiting in readiness to manage
the boat but John Hollaway.
Halo, HoIaway, are you turning
into boatmanl' exclaimed Blake, in as
tonishnent.
Lifting his cap to Lily, John answered,
"NotMnetly; but Joe came to me in
,rass .>ssssesr 49,. 7. sayina he did not feel
NJ sfo disappoint you, and Renewing
couAd manage a boat, he asked me to
takes his place. Joe has done me many
good turn, and so l could not refuse
him, !" he added, wrongfully Interpreting
tic little flush that had risen in Lly's
face as she listened; land he said, too,
that it was your sister who was to be
your companion. Else l should not have
come; | would not for the world be
mar-sport."
The bitterness in his tone touched
like chord in Lily's heart. For some
little time back she had been slowly but
surely learning a lesson, the difference
between real worth and mere glitter; and
now her heart sank as she saw, or
thought she saw, how completely her
conduct had driven all affection towards
her from Johns mind, and that she had
foolishly thrown away her own happi-
ness.
"Well, Hollaway, Pm sure I'm much
obliged. It's very kind of you," was
Blake's reply.
And the two young men soon had the
little craft in readiness for its fair
freight.
Blake had seen Johns liking for Lily,
but his vanity had not been alarmed; he
knew by experience the power of his
dark eyes, and Lily Lawrence was like
aay other young lady if she were ten
times pretter. So he reasoned.
They foated lightly over the blue
water anchoriug after while under a
bluff, and dropping their lines to fish.
Lily chatted gaily in her vwn fasci-
mating way, and never had she seemed
more lovely in Richard B.akcs eyes,
while poor John, who had thought Of
late that he had driven her image from
his mind, felt the old charm creeping
over him again stronger than ever be-
fore; but he hid his pain manfully and
kept his part in the lively conversation.
Time crept on, and just as they decided
on returning, to their sudden dismay
the heavens suddenly clouded over and
peel of thunder suddenly brought
them to their feet in alarm. Squalls
were not common upol the bay, but one
was evidently now upon them, and John
saw the great danger. A moment. ana
they were dashing at mad rate over
the waves, while overhead the awful
darkness gathered more ominously all
the while, and every now and then vivid
fl shes of flame seemed to envelope them
on all sides. Suddenly there was
binding glar', then terrific crash, and
hait the mast dropped over the bows,
While the sails were dragging in the
seethlng waters. For an instant John
was almost stunned; then his first
thought was Lily. Where was she9 A
second more and he caught the CLEAN
OF yellow curls in the cruel waves among
the tattered sails; the ropes had twisted
about her light figure and dragged her
over the bow.
lie sprang to Blake's side.
If she is to be yours, it is you who
ought to save her. Quick or it will be
too late. Your chance will be goncr
But Blake still covered tremblingly
where he was, unheeding the peril Of
the one he pro'essed to love.
Another instant John was struggling
among the sails, few seconds of awful
suspense while the waves were tugging
saYagely at him, then weak, almost
ialAting. he oFept back into tho boat